Syncope (Fainting)
Syncope is a short-term loss of consciousness or fainting. It is usually caused by insufficient oxygen supply to the brain and can be caused by various reasons. It can occur at any age and can cause serious health problems. Therefore, it is important to identify the cause of syncope attacks and apply appropriate treatment.
What is Syncope (Fainting)?
It is simply losing consciousness or fainting. It can occur for many different reasons. This is caused by a temporary decrease in blood flow or insufficient oxygen supply to the brain.
What are the Symptoms of Syncope (Fainting)?
Symptoms of syncope may include:
- Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
- Blurred vision or loss of vision
- Ringing or buzzing sensation in the ears
- Sweating
- Acceleration or slowing of the heartbeat
- Pallor
- Nausea or vomiting
What are the Causes of Fainting?
Syncope is a condition that occurs suddenly and is usually characterized by a brief loss of consciousness. Some common causes are as follows:
- Low blood pressure: Low blood pressure causes insufficient blood flow to the organs and the brain. As a result, brain function can be temporarily affected and fainting can occur.
- Heart problems: Heart diseases - especially heart rhythm disorders, heart failure or heart valve diseases - can affect blood flow and cause fainting.
- Low blood sugar: Diabetics can suffer from low blood sugar levels due to errors in insulin use or starvation. This can increase the risk of fainting.
- Anemia: If the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells, oxygen transport can become difficult and brain function can be affected.
- Neurological disorders: Neurological disorders such as epilepsy, stroke, migraine or multiple sclerosis can also cause syncope.
How is fainting diagnosed?
Syncope is diagnosed through a medical evaluation. Your doctor will assess your health history and symptoms. Using methods such as physical examination, electrocardiography (ECG), blood tests and other medical tests, he or she determines the underlying cause of the fainting. Treatment varies depending on the identification of the underlying cause.
What Does Syncope (Fainting) Affect In The Body?
A person experiencing it may experience the following effects:
- Loss of consciousness
- Pallor
- Sweating
- Fall risk
What are the Types of Syncope (Fainting)?
Syncope types are as follows:
- It caused by angina: Fainting spells that develop as a result of angina pectoris.
- Carotid sinus syncope: The carotid sinus is an important blood vessel supplying blood to the brain, where the carotid artery in the neck splits into 2. If this area is compressed, there is a slowing of the heart rate and/or a drop in blood pressure. This usually does not cause a problem, but in some patients the response to this compression may be excessive. As a result, sudden loss of consciousness may occur.
- Defecation syncope: Fainting spells that occur during bowel movements or defecation.
- Hysterical syncope: It caused by sudden anxiety, excitement or stress.
- Cough syncope: Sudden loss of consciousness following a coughing attack.
- Micturition syncope: It is a sudden loss of consciousness that occurs during urination. It is frequently seen in men who wake up at night to urinate. The exact cause is not known.
- Swallowing syncope: Syncope that accompanies swallowing. It may be associated with heart and esophageal diseases. However, it can also be seen in healthy individuals.
- Syncope of unknown cause: It accounts for one third of fainting cases. In most of these cases, the fainting episode occurs once and the patient recovers immediately.
How to Treat Syncope?
Treatment of syncope depends on identifying and treating the underlying cause. Treatment options are as follows:
- Review of medication or medications by a specialist physician, re-evaluation and modification if necessary
- Wearing compression stockings to ensure healthy blood circulation
- Implementing a healthy and regular nutrition plan
- Being careful when standing up
- Avoiding various triggers that cause a syncope attack
- Sticking to the right treatment plan in the presence of heart disease
- Regulating heart rate
- An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) can be implanted by a doctor if necessary. With this device, the pulse and heart rhythm are continuously monitored and automatic intervention is performed in the presence of an abnormal rhythm.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Before fainting, people usually experience certain symptoms. These symptoms are;
- Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
- Ringing or buzzing sensation in the ears
- Blurred vision or loss of vision
- Acceleration or slowing of the heartbeat
- Sweating
- Nausea or vomiting
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Fainting can be dangerous. In particular, it can cause injuries such as falls. If it is accompanied by loss of consciousness or other symptoms such as sudden dizziness, chest pain or breathing difficulties, medical help should be sought.
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It can be a symptom of different diseases. Some common causes are as follows:
- Low blood pressure
- Anemia
- Heart diseases (heart rhythm disorders, heart failure or heart valve diseases, etc.)
- Nervous system disorders (epilepsy, stroke, brain tumors, migraine or multiple sclerosis, etc.)
- Metabolic disorders (diabetes, hypoglycemia or hyperthyroidism, etc.)
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Fainting without a cause is usually a symptom of an underlying medical problem. Some people may experience fainting for no reason due to panic attacks or anxiety disorders. People who experience fainting should consult a doctor to determine the cause.
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Fainting is not a genetic condition. However, some inherited medical conditions can be among the fainting causes. For example, heart disease or diseases of the nervous system can be caused by genetic factors. These diseases can cause it.